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On Tuesday, April 9th, the McVay Youth Program celebrated its 20-year anniversary with its annual recognition dinner. Roughly 200 guests were in attendance, many of whom were McVay staff and alumni. It was a special evening filled with touching speeches, good food, and free McVay “swag” – t-shirts, fanny packs, tote bags, and metal cups.
The youth program has been running for two decades, and its director, Jane Krentz, has carried it since the start. She kept the program alive during the first years of the pandemic, and she’s worked tirelessly to adapt it to the ever-changing needs of the youth it serves.
The recognition dinner celebrated 20 years of joyful work, but it also marked Jane’s last year before retiring from her position as program director.
Guests came from far and wide to celebrate the program’s 20-year legacy, and there was an unspoken understanding that while the program – and its staff – were the focus of the dinner, none of it would have been possible without Jane.
McVay has made a huge difference in the lives of the youth it serves and the Hamline students who work for the program. Almost every McVay staff member will tell you that it’s more than just a job. It’s a community and a support system.
“It started as a job, because I needed a job on campus, and it’s been a lot more than that, and I am really thankful for all the opportunities I’ve gotten working for McVay and with Jane,” said Eleanor Gale, a senior fellow at the Path of Grace site.
“Ever since I started working for McVay, my days have been looking brighter, and Jane is the ray of sunshine,” McVay associate Mo Omar said after the dinner.
Everyone, staff and alumni alike, had plenty to say about their experiences with the program and with Jane. The speeches ran so long, people were still coming up to talk throughout the dinner to share their stories, gratitude, and cherished memories of the program.
“As somebody who also went to after-school programs growing up, I know the importance of a program like McVay,” said current associate Lidya Berhane.
“As an international student, McVay has been like a family and a home for me,” associate Sadikshya Paudel said.
Many alumni credited McVay for teaching them skills that they still use in their current jobs, and Jane for showing them what a good boss looks like.
There was no shortage of tears – from relived memories and reunions with old friends – as the evening came to a late end, and guests took home flowers, t-shirts, and raffle prizes.
Jane’s legacy with McVay is a strong one, and the foundations of the program pave the way for future leaders. Current staff are confident and empowered with the skills and knowledge that Jane has given them.
To quote the 2003 poem “What Will Matter” by Michael Josephson, which Jane reads an excerpt from every year, “Living a life that matters doesn’t happen by accident.”
We thank Jane for her years of dedicated service to the McVay program, and we celebrate the impact she’s made on everyone who’s had the pleasure of working with her.
Written By Raine Lentz '26 and Krystal Iverson '25
Program Assistants of McVay
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